My gf and I moved here recently. It has changed a lot in the last 5 years with loads of residential towers going up. The vibe is a lot better than it used to be. It’s a clean, safe part of London. You can easily dip-in and out of more traditional areas. Love it.
Last night I returned home to Los Angeles, CA-USA from London. The majority of my 3-weeks stay in London was in Canary Wharf. I absolutely LOVED it! Like you and your partner, I thought to myself: "Yes, I could definitely LIVE here." As much as I appreciate the historical aspects of London, I felt most warm and happy while in Canary Wharf. Is it dead on the weekends? Somewhat, yes. And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! For me, Central London is fun but a bit overwhelming. The English countryside is lovely, but can also feel foreign unless one is accustomed to country/farm life, which I am not. Canary Wharf is PERFECT. 🙂
We share a love for the wharf!!! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay in London and experienced the gem that is Canary Wharf. Honestly, I go back all the time (sometimes for appointments and sometimes just because!).
Live here and in the beginning wasn’t really into it but over time learned to love it as I started to discover the Estate😁clean, safe and full of variety of activities from art/culture sports and nightlife. Nowadays, some of the social parts are busy and vibrant (Crossrail Place)However, beware that it can be expensive and “soulless” at times due to the fact that there is no feel of neighbourhood- everyone is inside their buildings that have all the amenities and because of that, you don’t really see or speak to your neighbours. Also, in terms of supermarket, the offers can be somewhat limited. I unusually go to Greenwich or Lewisham for grocery shopping.Ps- Pergola is overrated😉
Sorry, I just found u (1yr later). Excellent presentation. I am going to England next month (in Sept) for 2 weeks. This will be a mandatory stop, rewatching this video the night before:) Thank you.
People have been spoiled in European cities with historic buildings around every corner. I love Canary Wharf personally, it is far closer to North American cities and is the perfect contrast to Westminster and more historic parts of London
AND Canary Wharf is perfectly located... only a short tube ride away from the historic places. And then, I come back to my concrete jungle with far less tourists lol
Take a look at Right Move (website or app). It's a good place to start when you are looking for places to rent in London. Keep in mind though that postings aren't always removed promptly - helps to use the filters to sort through pricing and listing dates. There are plenty of new buildings under construction in the wharf right now - I've seen lots of advertisements for new lettings.
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle I am a Los Angeles (Hollywood), California-USA native with intentions to live and work in the UK. I stayed, mostly, in Canary Wharf during my recent 3-week visit to London. I think I am registered with Right Move, but a London associate recommends not paying upfront Agency fees. Does Right Move charge an upfront fee?
I was born there many moons ago when it was just docks I also worked in south quay. Moved away for about 25 years came back and now living at east India quay and I’m glad to be back x
I enjoyed living in Canary Wharf, but missed living in the Heath, Knightsbridge and now Holland Park. The Heath was beautiful yet somewhat lacking on major shopping. Knightsbridge was just the opposite; great apartment, but the crowds and traffic were horrific at times. Canary Wharf was definitely modern, very sleek, excellent walking and eating. However, it was a bit sterile at times and running along the Thames at times, I missed being "over there" (central/west london), BUT that was just due to most of my friends living in those areas. I am now in Holland Park - It looks monotonous rather "rowy," but is closest to friends, major shopping, away from traffic and noise with the parks nearby -- To each his own - all areas have their ups/downs. Excellent video!
Isn’t it incredible how different each area in London can be from one another! I can’t get enough of exploring different communities. Sounds like you have had several different experiences living here - thank you for watching!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle Yes, a true Londoner, have lived here my entire life. Canary Wharf is simply sleek, and very modern - a nice chunk of London.
You have done well for yourself, living in the places you listed. Most of Londoners (you know, the nurses, and teachers and bus drivers and those keeping the city running which I assume you're not) can't afford anywhere near zone 1.
@@bluceree7312 I understand - I am a doctor - gastroenterologist and yes, the areas I mentioned are not affordable to all. However, there are many places outside of zone one that are nice as well
Great video Michelle. I've been working from home during the covid times, but would normally be in the big pointy building. I've always thought of Canary Wharf as a place to leave behind after Friday drinks (I do sometimes visit Waitrose for grocery shopping as there isn't one close to where I live), but you've persuaded me to give it more of a chance next time I'm in the office. In fact a few colleagues and I met for lunch at the Pergola on a recent visit and certainly enjoyed that. The Everyman cinema within the office complex is a good one, and the O2 is nearby for special events. These new developments always seem cold and uninviting at first, but it takes time for a human personality to develop and that seems to be well under way.
Thank you - I'm so glad to have inspired you a bit! New developments tend to feel so sterile until some life (and maybe a few pints) get breathed into them! Pergola is a great spot for post-work drinks... we took a friend there for another visit recently and it was just as good the second time around.
I'm so interested to know more about what it's like to live on a barge/boat/floating home - maybe one day I'll make a connection and can do an episode on this!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle it was amazing. I was there, part time, for 9 years. I only sold it because I adopted a greyhound and he really didn't do well in London - so I gave up the boat and moved full-time to the countryside. I still miss it though. A fantastic sense of community.
I miss CW so much. Lived there fton its start to many new building springing up. I love every inch of this place. We started as a young family, then- a family of three, having all plans connected with CW. One day it all got ruined with my husbsnds unexpected and sudden death. I still miss the pkace, but not sure i could be there without him😢
I visit London quite regularly for gigs and work, and always stay somewhere like Camden, Soho etc. Last time I went I rented an apartment in Indescon Square: Canary Wharf. I absolutely loved it! For me it was the sense of normality in the centre of this mega-busy metropolis which could often be too much come evening. I liked the fact I could be in that busy/exciting environment within minutes, but retreat back to the quieter Wharf, well, certainly in the evenings and weekends, when it got too much. It's clean, feels safe, and has more than enough to do if you don't feel like venturing into main London. Only slight downside, as I'm more of a night owl, is that the tube closes at midnight meaning you have to either miss out on late nightlife, or pay an expensive cab. Either way, I'll definitely be back. P.S. enjoying your channel so far, keep it up 😊
I have similar feelings about Canary Wharf! You're right, that night tube life is key if you're a late night adventurer! I hope you enjoy your next visit in London - lovely you are able to visit frequently. Glad you enjoyed the episode - welcome to the abroad community!
Beautiful place. For me central London is too fancy and noisy. We are planning to move from Europe to Canary Wharf also this year. Was looking to Arena Tower, Wardian, Pinnacle and couple more options. Maybe you have something to advice? :)
Hey there! We are very happy with our decision to live in the Canary Wharf area. Still feels central with easy access to pretty much everything, but less crowded for sure! Arena Tower is a great option, HUGE patios/balconies and also gives you access to the Nuffield Health gym (which we go to and like). Quick tip - anything on the South Quay side (and lower) will have significantly reduced flat costs compared to the Canary Wharf side of the Isle. All the best in your flat search and move to London!
Brilliant and I was gobsmaked to learn of the hidden gems of CW, as I had always assumed it to be a soul less development. I lived in London for several years in the late 60' early 70's during the peak of the swinging London era and I lived in Kensington (north, south, and west) for most of that time. I really enjoyed being able to walk to all of the museums, shops (Harrods especially) and the King's Road. At that time there was nothing like CW in London. The nearest that one got to that was the Barbican which I always assumed was social housing in the city of London. It was pretty bleak looking architecturally and it always seemed dead most of the time. Are there ferries that connect with Greenwich from CW? I loved the Great Park there because it always made me feel like I was in the pristine English countryside and the pubs there were really worth a visit too.
Kensington is one of my favourite neighbourhoods to visit - so many gems there as well! Canary Wharf surprised us. We really enjoyed our time living there. I still go back to visit every once and awhile (also haven't changed my dentist, but that's a whole other issue lol!). Yes, you can take the Uber Boat from CW pier to Greenwich! Great place to spend a day!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I'm considering a move to London from Halifax, Canada and have been looking into Canary Wharf so I really appreciate the in depth tour :)
So glad it was helpful! It you continue following along, we did end up moving away from Canary Wharf, but not because we didn't like it anymore! There are so many great neighbourhoods here - best wishes if you do decide to move to London!
There are so many pieces of street art in the Canary Wharf area that there’s a guide/map you can download from The Canary Wharf Group website… it’s six pages long!
Canary wharf is one of the most exciting, energised and enlightening parts of London the shops, the skyscapers, the docks, the waterways, the history of the docks and waterways, parks and gardens the city farm(i thought was closed!)restaurants and bars which at night far better quality than west end. I lived beside 1 Canary wharf until I moved to Zurich for new job best 6 years of my life and I still own and rent out my apartment earning £4150 per month after costs, taxes, etc a great investment if you have a spare £1.35m.
A great investment indeed! I see Canary Wharf in a similar light as you; a lot of history and excitement packed into a relatively small area! I hope life in Zurich is treating you well; Zurich was our favourite city in Switzerland! We honeymooned there in 2017... in November, which we were told was a rather odd choice, but we LOVED it.
THEY are not wrong. IT IS soulless, relatively when you compare it to similarly priced areas such as Hampstead, or Richmond, or even Hammersmith, and Chiswick, Barnes, Greenwich (not the peninsula), Highgate, Golders Green, Ealing, Tufnell Park, Crouch End, Dulwich, Acton, Richmisworth, Walthamstow, Epping, Putney, Clapton, etc.. even-even Stratford has more soul.
… I mean, we DID move to Ealing 😂! Jokes aside, I loved living in Canary Wharf and miss many aspects of the area! It’s way more lively than reputation might have us believe. It’s not for everyone though!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle I lived in the Isle of Dogs close to Millwall, and while I could not find anything wrong about it, I couldn't find anything exciting about it either. Enjoy Ealing :)
I STILL venture that far, despite having moved to Ealing when I miss Canary Wharf (or have an appointment because girl can’t leave here people behind 😂)
Could be and also means there's lots of security, which I didn't mind! We've moved since this episode and are enjoying a completely different lifestyle in Ealing :)
My gf and I moved here recently.
It has changed a lot in the last 5 years with loads of residential towers going up. The vibe is a lot better than it used to be. It’s a clean, safe part of London. You can easily dip-in and out of more traditional areas. Love it.
Now that so many residential areas are being built on the Wharf, it seems there's a lot more going on! Canary Wharf was easy to fall in love with.
Last night I returned home to Los Angeles, CA-USA from London. The majority of my 3-weeks stay in London was in Canary Wharf. I absolutely LOVED it! Like you and your partner, I thought to myself: "Yes, I could definitely LIVE here." As much as I appreciate the historical aspects of London, I felt most warm and happy while in Canary Wharf. Is it dead on the weekends? Somewhat, yes. And I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! For me, Central London is fun but a bit overwhelming. The English countryside is lovely, but can also feel foreign unless one is accustomed to country/farm life, which I am not. Canary Wharf is PERFECT. 🙂
We share a love for the wharf!!! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay in London and experienced the gem that is Canary Wharf. Honestly, I go back all the time (sometimes for appointments and sometimes just because!).
Live here and in the beginning wasn’t really into it but over time learned to love it as I started to discover the Estate😁clean, safe and full of variety of activities from art/culture sports and nightlife. Nowadays, some of the social parts are busy and vibrant (Crossrail Place)However, beware that it can be expensive and “soulless” at times due to the fact that there is no feel of neighbourhood- everyone is inside their buildings that have all the amenities and because of that, you don’t really see or speak to your neighbours. Also, in terms of supermarket, the offers can be somewhat limited. I unusually go to Greenwich or Lewisham for grocery shopping.Ps- Pergola is overrated😉
Sorry, I just found u (1yr later). Excellent presentation. I am going to England next month (in Sept) for 2 weeks. This will be a mandatory stop, rewatching this video the night before:) Thank you.
People have been spoiled in European cities with historic buildings around every corner. I love Canary Wharf personally, it is far closer to North American cities and is the perfect contrast to Westminster and more historic parts of London
Can you please suggest some apartments/ places for rent in canary wharf
AND Canary Wharf is perfectly located... only a short tube ride away from the historic places. And then, I come back to my concrete jungle with far less tourists lol
Take a look at Right Move (website or app). It's a good place to start when you are looking for places to rent in London. Keep in mind though that postings aren't always removed promptly - helps to use the filters to sort through pricing and listing dates. There are plenty of new buildings under construction in the wharf right now - I've seen lots of advertisements for new lettings.
I love those buildings
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle I am a Los Angeles (Hollywood), California-USA native with intentions to live and work in the UK. I stayed, mostly, in Canary Wharf during my recent 3-week visit to London. I think I am registered with Right Move, but a London associate recommends not paying upfront Agency fees. Does Right Move charge an upfront fee?
I was born there many moons ago when it was just docks I also worked in south quay. Moved away for about 25 years came back and now living at east India quay and I’m glad to be back x
You really came full circle Julie! East India Quay is lovely - I walk through the area all the time! Glad you are enjoying being back 😊
I enjoyed living in Canary Wharf, but missed living in the Heath, Knightsbridge and now Holland Park. The Heath was beautiful yet somewhat lacking on major shopping. Knightsbridge was just the opposite; great apartment, but the crowds and traffic were horrific at times. Canary Wharf was definitely modern, very sleek, excellent walking and eating. However, it was a bit sterile at times and running along the Thames at times, I missed being "over there" (central/west london), BUT that was just due to most of my friends living in those areas. I am now in Holland Park - It looks monotonous rather "rowy," but is closest to friends, major shopping, away from traffic and noise with the parks nearby -- To each his own - all areas have their ups/downs. Excellent video!
Isn’t it incredible how different each area in London can be from one another! I can’t get enough of exploring different communities. Sounds like you have had several different experiences living here - thank you for watching!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle Yes, a true Londoner, have lived here my entire life. Canary Wharf is simply sleek, and very modern - a nice chunk of London.
Can you please suggest some apartments/ places for rent in canary wharf
You have done well for yourself, living in the places you listed. Most of Londoners (you know, the nurses, and teachers and bus drivers and those keeping the city running which I assume you're not) can't afford anywhere near zone 1.
@@bluceree7312 I understand - I am a doctor - gastroenterologist and yes, the areas I mentioned are not affordable to all. However, there are many places outside of zone one that are nice as well
I live near Canary Wharf and I really like just walking around it. Strange place but more interesting than most people give it credit for
Completely agree - even within the last two years so much has changed there! Always worth a visit!
Great video Michelle. I've been working from home during the covid times, but would normally be in the big pointy building. I've always thought of Canary Wharf as a place to leave behind after Friday drinks (I do sometimes visit Waitrose for grocery shopping as there isn't one close to where I live), but you've persuaded me to give it more of a chance next time I'm in the office. In fact a few colleagues and I met for lunch at the Pergola on a recent visit and certainly enjoyed that. The Everyman cinema within the office complex is a good one, and the O2 is nearby for special events. These new developments always seem cold and uninviting at first, but it takes time for a human personality to develop and that seems to be well under way.
Thank you - I'm so glad to have inspired you a bit! New developments tend to feel so sterile until some life (and maybe a few pints) get breathed into them! Pergola is a great spot for post-work drinks... we took a friend there for another visit recently and it was just as good the second time around.
I agree keep this space green and natural.
I lived there, part time, for 9 years and loved it! I was on one of the Dutch barges in Blackwall basin - it was living in a floating village.
I'm so interested to know more about what it's like to live on a barge/boat/floating home - maybe one day I'll make a connection and can do an episode on this!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle it was amazing. I was there, part time, for 9 years. I only sold it because I adopted a greyhound and he really didn't do well in London - so I gave up the boat and moved full-time to the countryside. I still miss it though. A fantastic sense of community.
I miss CW so much. Lived there fton its start to many new building springing up. I love every inch of this place. We started as a young family, then- a family of three, having all plans connected with CW. One day it all got ruined with my husbsnds unexpected and sudden death. I still miss the pkace, but not sure i could be there without him😢
I visit London quite regularly for gigs and work, and always stay somewhere like Camden, Soho etc. Last time I went I rented an apartment in Indescon Square: Canary Wharf. I absolutely loved it! For me it was the sense of normality in the centre of this mega-busy metropolis which could often be too much come evening. I liked the fact I could be in that busy/exciting environment within minutes, but retreat back to the quieter Wharf, well, certainly in the evenings and weekends, when it got too much.
It's clean, feels safe, and has more than enough to do if you don't feel like venturing into main London. Only slight downside, as I'm more of a night owl, is that the tube closes at midnight meaning you have to either miss out on late nightlife, or pay an expensive cab.
Either way, I'll definitely be back.
P.S. enjoying your channel so far, keep it up 😊
I have similar feelings about Canary Wharf! You're right, that night tube life is key if you're a late night adventurer! I hope you enjoy your next visit in London - lovely you are able to visit frequently. Glad you enjoyed the episode - welcome to the abroad community!
hey lovely video!
just a quick note: your voice volume needs to be a little higher
Thank you! I completely agree - I’ll keep working on that.
Beautiful place. For me central London is too fancy and noisy. We are planning to move from Europe to Canary Wharf also this year. Was looking to Arena Tower, Wardian, Pinnacle and couple more options. Maybe you have something to advice? :)
Hey there! We are very happy with our decision to live in the Canary Wharf area. Still feels central with easy access to pretty much everything, but less crowded for sure! Arena Tower is a great option, HUGE patios/balconies and also gives you access to the Nuffield Health gym (which we go to and like). Quick tip - anything on the South Quay side (and lower) will have significantly reduced flat costs compared to the Canary Wharf side of the Isle. All the best in your flat search and move to London!
Arena tower or one park drive! Stunning towers!
I have only ever experienced Canary Wharf as a business destination so it was interesting to see what else it has to offer.
It’s amazing how perspective of a place can completely depend on your reasons for being there. Glad I could show you a different side!
"Hello" from Prince Edward Island. I enjoyed your video. Thank you.
Brilliant and I was gobsmaked to learn of the hidden gems of CW, as I had always assumed it to be a soul less development. I lived in London for several years in the late 60' early 70's during the peak of the swinging London era and I lived in Kensington (north, south, and west) for most of that time. I really enjoyed being able to walk to all of the museums, shops (Harrods especially) and the King's Road. At that time there was nothing like CW in London. The nearest that one got to that was the Barbican which I always assumed was social housing in the city of London. It was pretty bleak looking architecturally and it always seemed dead most of the time. Are there ferries that connect with Greenwich from CW? I loved the Great Park there because it always made me feel like I was in the pristine English countryside and the pubs there were really worth a visit too.
Kensington is one of my favourite neighbourhoods to visit - so many gems there as well! Canary Wharf surprised us. We really enjoyed our time living there. I still go back to visit every once and awhile (also haven't changed my dentist, but that's a whole other issue lol!). Yes, you can take the Uber Boat from CW pier to Greenwich! Great place to spend a day!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I'm considering a move to London from Halifax, Canada and have been looking into Canary Wharf so I really appreciate the in depth tour :)
So glad it was helpful! It you continue following along, we did end up moving away from Canary Wharf, but not because we didn't like it anymore! There are so many great neighbourhoods here - best wishes if you do decide to move to London!
Love Canary Wharf ❤
I loveeed the street art!! So interesting and beautiful 😊
There are so many pieces of street art in the Canary Wharf area that there’s a guide/map you can download from The Canary Wharf Group website… it’s six pages long!
It’s beautiful area. I was living there for 12 years. You can cycling along the Lee canal river. Love it
I would love to see us move back some time! So much residential development on the Isle right now!
Canary wharf is one of the most exciting, energised and enlightening parts of London the shops, the skyscapers, the docks, the waterways, the history of the docks and waterways, parks and gardens the city farm(i thought was closed!)restaurants and bars which at night far better quality than west end. I lived beside 1 Canary wharf until I moved to Zurich for new job best 6 years of my life and I still own and rent out my apartment earning £4150 per month after costs, taxes, etc a great investment if you have a spare £1.35m.
A great investment indeed! I see Canary Wharf in a similar light as you; a lot of history and excitement packed into a relatively small area! I hope life in Zurich is treating you well; Zurich was our favourite city in Switzerland! We honeymooned there in 2017... in November, which we were told was a rather odd choice, but we LOVED it.
THEY are not wrong. IT IS soulless, relatively when you compare it to similarly priced areas such as Hampstead, or Richmond, or even Hammersmith, and Chiswick, Barnes, Greenwich (not the peninsula), Highgate, Golders Green, Ealing, Tufnell Park, Crouch End, Dulwich, Acton, Richmisworth, Walthamstow, Epping, Putney, Clapton, etc.. even-even Stratford has more soul.
… I mean, we DID move to Ealing 😂! Jokes aside, I loved living in Canary Wharf and miss many aspects of the area! It’s way more lively than reputation might have us believe. It’s not for everyone though!
@@ACanadianAbroadMichelle I lived in the Isle of Dogs close to Millwall, and while I could not find anything wrong about it, I couldn't find anything exciting about it either. Enjoy Ealing :)
Thank you.
I love canary wharf
Me too! I still visit once and awhile!
I live in isle of dogs and can’t believe when people talk like that of east London 😂 it has everything to be happy!
Couldn’t agree more!
Im 18 and hoping to live there soon
Happy to answer any questions you may have when the time comes! We love it here!
Definitely a Dock lifestyle 😜 ...but maybe don't jump in the water!
People do it, but I wouldn’t recommend it!
A concrete jungle but I guess notary even venture that far
I STILL venture that far, despite having moved to Ealing when I miss Canary Wharf (or have an appointment because girl can’t leave here people behind 😂)
not being able to film your own neighbourhood is a massive red flag looks nice but slight corporate dystopia
Could be and also means there's lots of security, which I didn't mind! We've moved since this episode and are enjoying a completely different lifestyle in Ealing :)